The search for a second suspect in connection with a hate crime in Simi Valley continued Monday, officials said.

The Simi Valley Police Department began searching for the man after a Muslim worshipper was stabbed Saturday evening in the 1700 block of Erringer Road.

Simi Valley police described the subject as a male in his late 20s, between 5 feet 6 inches and 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighing between 140 and 200 pounds. Officials said the man had a buzz cut and was last seen wearing a dark colored hoodie.

One man, John Matteson, 29, of Simi Valley, was arrested in connection with the stabbing and civil rights violations after he and the second subject began shouting at a group of individuals in the vicinity of a small mosque.

According to Simi Valley police, a physical altercation ensued during which time the victim was stabbed. Multiple police officers responded to the scene and located the male stabbing victim who was transported to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

According to a preliminary investigation, the victim was targeted due to his appearance and association with the mosque.

Matteson and the second suspect reportedly fled the scene on foot. After a search of the area, police officers found and arrested Matteson, officials said. The 29-year-old received injuries during the altercation and was transported to Simi Valley Hospital.

According to jail records, Matteson was booked into jail on suspicion of making criminal threats and violating civil rights, both felonies, and a misdemeanor charge of disturbing the peace by fighting. He is being held on $25,000 bail and is expected to appear in court Tuesday.

While the FBI reported a more than 2 percent increase in the number of hate crimes with a religious bias between 2014 and 2015, Sgt. Travis Coffey of the Simi Valley Police Department said the frequency of hate crimes within the community is low.

"I was surprised by how infrequent they are," he said.

Simi Valley has not seen an increase in hate crimes, even since election day, Coffey added. The relatively low volume of hate crimes in Simi Valley means the agency can devote the needed time to investigate such incidents.

This story will be updated.

John Matteson, 29, of Simi Valley, was arrested Saturday night after allegedly stabbing a man who had just left a mosque. He appeared in court Tuesday and entered a not guilty plea.(Photo: CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)